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The Senate today passed legislation sponsored by Senators Gerald Cardinale and Anthony Bucco requiring colleges and universities in New Jersey to adopt policies providing greater support to students with military obligations.

Senator Gerry Cardinale (R-39) joined military veterans at American Legion Post 153 in Park Ridge on May 31, 2013 to announce legislation that will require New Jersey colleges to better support students with military obligations. (SenateNJ.com)

“These requirements will make sure professors and universities are providing appropriate supports to military members who have to miss time in the class room because of the sacrifices they make outside of it in serving our country,” said Cardinale (R-Bergen, Passaic). “A service member who has to miss class because of obligations like training or enactment should be given a fair chance to make up the work they missed. Helping these heroes juggle college and their military obligations will help them to succeed both in the classroom and in uniform.”

Under the bill, S162, colleges in New Jersey would be required to adopt policies and procedures to support students in the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves when they miss classes because of deployment, calls for monthly drills, annual training and any active duty service whether voluntary or involuntary. The legislation provides several grade options for students who are unable to complete a course because of their military service duties and requires students be allowed at least five days per each missed class to make up homework and be given access to lecture notes and a tutor.

“For many enlisted in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves the prospect of obtaining a college degree on top of their service obligations is understandably daunting,” said Bucco (R-Morris). “Having these basic supports in place at our colleges and universities will hopefully allow more military members to not only enroll at a New Jersey college but also complete their degree.”